Monday, March 10, 2014

Wormhole Science!

For this year's festivities, participants are asked to look at both sides of science and technology. How has one aspect enhanced humanity and how has another (or the same) caused us trouble.

So many to choose from!!!

One of my favourite technological advances is portable music! From the good old Walkman back in the day to the numerous iPod versions, it has made life better. Sure I could be talking about vaccines and adaptive devices and artificial limbs and other serious topics, but I LOVE having my music with me. It makes working out livable and walking so much more enjoyable! On a more serious side, the technology has also made it SO much easier for kids who live kind of on the fringes at lunches and recesses. Some kids find it incredibly difficult to find friends to hang out with at these times and the technology has helped them. Not only do they appear busy and like they're choosing to be alone but they have something to focus on other than their solitude. That's a huge plus in my book!

On the down side, I generally find it's not the technology or the science itself that causes humankind problems, but the humans who choose to abuse it. There seems to be a need to turn almost everything into a weapon of some kind. Chemical warfare and biological agents are some of the most terrifying we've managed to create. The most insidious are probably the recreational drugs that cause so much damage. While some may not agree that these are weapons, I would show as evidence the kids with the damaged psyches, injured brains & bodies, and irreparably broken hearts I've met over the years. Weapons indeed.

For other entries in the blogfest, click on the 3 links at the top of this post. Good luck to Stephen with Escalation - his 3rd book in the Chase Manhatten series! You'll love his use of wormholes in these books!!

39 comments:

Jemi--Great points about portable music! I've noticed the same thing when I've picked up my carpool at school...the kids who have trouble fitting in have something to do and don't have to stand around awkwardly. And the music is likely calming to them, too.

Ah, but the question is, does having the music make it easier to drop out all together and not participate? Don't get me wrong, I definitely see your point, but maybe it creates an extra barrier, and gives kids a reason not to reach out.

Earphones/headphones that work and not have any sound bleed (I think that's the term? You know so you may listen to your music without bothering the person sitting next to you on the train...) are fab too! :-)

You definitely hit the real problem on the head. I think 'our' misused of technology is what makes some advancements seem so scary. It's not technology itself. As with all things, balance and pure motives are key.

weapons are definitelly the worst inventions, but I think that on every good invention come ebil people who find the way to use it in ebil ways :(

My fave techn. advance is the electricity itself, because I've been often without it in my life (during wars, bombings, crises and shortages) and I now value that simple thing more than anything. Electricity for cooking, for heating water, for heating houses, for cooling refridgetaros... imagine life without it.....

Other than music in my vehicle which is a must, I've never been one to want to transport my music with me. When I'm walking or just outside I like to keep in touch with my surroundings.

There was a time in my youth when I had a battery operated portable record player. I'd haul a bunch of albums with me when I'd go camping or for some stationary activity and listen to my music. Not very practical and it was not something I could listen to if I was on the move.

But I know some people love to be lost in music while they're walking or running. Others will have their tunes at the beach, the park or wherever. I usually don't share their tastes in music, but they seem to like having it with them.

I love technology, but I think it's made things too easy. People use their calculator apps instead of using paper and pencil or doing math in their head, rely on spellcheck too much, and a host of other things. I find that I used to memorize more when I was younger; now I'm hooked on apps and devices.

I think anything can be a good or bad thing. Anything. I suppose that's why we have so much responsibility in this life, to utilize the tools at our disposal for good purposes and make the best of life, eh?

Interesting choice Jemi!And current/topical as it pertains to learners of today...

I can remember back in the day, when we had a turntable with a needle, and you popped the vinyl records onto it... then came the tape recorder with those audio cassettes... then video cassettes... then DVD's... i-Pods... where will it end?Writer In Transit

You make a great point there about the problem not being the technology as much as the way people use it. I can't believe how many people have ear-buds jammed into their ears while out walking or even driving, lost in their own little world, crossing the street without looking or pausing, driving on automatic, one small step away from disaster...